MLS is back, how did teams do in the opening weekend? Lets take a look; here our MLS round-up: Week 1.
Portland 5 vs 1 Minnesota This opening game of the 2017 season was a cracking game! Minnesota began their inaugural MLS season against a revamped Portland Timbers team poised to right their wrongs from last season. Portland scored the first two goals of the game, but in the 79th minute Minnesota scored their first ever MLS goal. Right when it seemed like Minnesota might get back in the match, they committed a penalty and went down 3-1. Portland added two from Fernando Adi in the late stages to complete the rout. Highlights: here.
Columbus 1 vs 1 Chicago The first game today was two eastern conference teams looking to shed harsh 2016 campaigns, and both will feel okay with the opening result. Columbus came out firing. Dominating the first half, and scoring first. The Second half was all Chicago, and David Accam found the equalizer. After a frantic final five minutes with lot’s of back and forth, the game ended in a draw. Highlights: here.
LA Galaxy 1 vs 2 FC Dallas The supporters shield holders entered LA with determination to start the season strong against a conference rival. They did just that. Urruti opened the scoring with an effort that should have been snuffed out. A penalty given to LA helped them equalize as Gio Dos Santos equalized. With twenty minutes left, the US Mens National Team next star Kellyn Acosta scored to secure a crucial three points on the road. LA's new team will need some time to gel to get their game going, while Dallas looks poised for another strong run. Highlights: here
Real Salt Lake 0 vs 0 Toronto FC Toronto looked like a team possessed to put their cup loss. They had so many chances, but couldn't find a way past the resilient Real Salt Lake. Giovinco had a penalty that he created saved, and Altidore missed crucial chances for TFC. RSL, on the other hand, didn't have many opportunities forward. When they did they made a mess of things. Salt Lake will be kicking themselves for not getting three points in their home opener, and TFC will be raring to find their first win at Philly this week. Highlights: here
Colorado 1 vs 0 New England Colorado proved that their style of play from 2016 was not a fluke in their 1-0 win at home to start 2017. Their scrappy goal and strong defense the reason why the emerged victorious. New England showed some bright spots in the attack; Kei Kamara had some decent chances, but couldn't shake off the offseason rust. New England's newly put together defense did well, except on the set piece that led to the only goal of the game. Both teams seemed to have started this season right where they left off at the end of 2016. Highlights: here
DC United 0 vs 0 Sporting Kansas City This game was the most thrilling 0-0 tie of the weekend. Both keepers showed off some mad skills. DC's Bill Hamid stopped what looked like a sure goal from a free kick, while Tim Milia had a double save off of a PK to keep DC from getting three points at home. Both teams will feel robbed in this one, as they each had quality opportunities to score. SKC will take the road draw; DC will feel hard done after their last home opener at RFK stadium. Highlights: here
Houston 2 vs 1 Seattle This is the most shocking result of the weekend. The defending MLS Cup champions went down to Houston and lost to 2016's worst team in the west. Houston scored two beautiful goals in the first half, one from a Erick "Cubo" Torres free kick, and a wonder goal from Romell Quioto. Seattle did find a goal in the second half from Clint Dempsey, who finally returned to full fitness after suffering from an irregular heartbeat. The defending champs looked sloppy at times, and the new look Dynamo took advantage of that, and got three points at home to start 2017. Highlights: here
San Jose 1 vs 0 Montreal San Jose had their home opener agaisnt Montreal, a team that was red-hot at the end of 2016. It looks the Canadian side cooled off in the offseason. Montreal had trouble finding their way through the Earthquakes newly formed defense. They also had trouble defending the break, as Anibal Godoy scored the games only goal off of a tasty chip that should win goal of the week. These two teams who were on opposite end of the spectrum in 2016 seemed to have swapped places at the start of this new season. Highlights: here
Orlando 1 vs 0 NYCFC Orlando opened their brand new stadium this past week, and played like a brand new team. Their faithful leader Kaka, had to leave the game early with an injury, but OCSC did just enough without him to break down NYCFC's poor defense. Cyle Larin scored for Orlando (cause who else scores for them?) in the first half. The newly made Orlando defense then shut down David Villa and NYCFC. The only thing NYCFC took from this game was a few of the stadium seats, seriously. Orlando starts with three points in their new home, but lose Kaka for six weeks with a hamstring injury. NYCFC get nothing. Highlights: here
Atlanta 1 vs 2 NY Red Bulls Atlanta United entered MLS this past weekend. 55,000 fans watched as Atlanta started their inaugural MLS season. It all started out great. Yamil Asad scored the first goal in Atlanta's history in the 25th minute. But the Red Bulls spoiled the party late. Daniel Royer scored in the 76th minute to tie the game, and an Atlanta own goal in the 82nd killed the game. The Red Bulls spoiled Atlanta's MLS debut after looking dead for 74-plus minutes. Atlanta will be a tough team for anyone this season, but if you can grind out results they way the Red Bulls have over the years, United's inexperience will show. Highlights: here
Vancouver 0 vs 0 Philadelphia Here's my in-depth anlaysis of the Union's season opener: Highlights: here After one week here's where every team stands: Eastern Conference
| | Points | | Overall | | Home | | Away |
| # | Club | PTS | PPG | | GP | W | L | T | GF | GA | GD | | W-L-T | | W-L-T |
| 1 | New York Red Bulls | 3 | 3 | | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 1 | | 0-0-0 | | 1-0-0 |
| 2 | Orlando City SC | 3 | 3 | | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | | 1-0-0 | | 0-0-0 |
| 3 | Chicago Fire | 1 | 1 | | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | | 0-0-0 | | 0-0-1 |
| 4 | Columbus Crew SC | 1 | 1 | | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | | 0-0-1 | | 0-0-0 |
| 5 | D.C. United | 1 | 1 | | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | | 0-0-1 | | 0-0-0 |
| 6 | Philadelphia Union | 1 | 1 | | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | | 0-0-0 | | 0-0-1 |
| 7 | Toronto FC | 1 | 1 | | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | | 0-0-0 | | 0-0-1 |
| 8 | Atlanta United FC | 0 | 0 | | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 2 | -1 | | 0-1-0 | | 0-0-0 |
| 9 | Montreal Impact | 0 | 0 | | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | -1 | | 0-0-0 | | 0-1-0 |
| 10 | New England Revolution | 0 | 0 | | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | -1 | | 0-0-0 | | 0-1-0 |
| 11 | New York City FC | 0 | 0 | | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | -1 | | 0-0-0 | | 0-1-0 |
Western Conference
| | Points | | Overall | | Home | | Away |
| # | Club | PTS | PPG | | GP | W | L | T | GF | GA | GD | | W-L-T | | W-L-T |
| 1 | Portland Timbers | 3 | 3 | | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 1 | 4 | | 1-0-0 | | 0-0-0 |
| 3 | FC Dallas | 3 | 3 | | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 1 | | 0-0-0 | | 1-0-0 |
| 4 | Houston Dynamo | 3 | 3 | | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 1 | | 1-0-0 | | 0-0-0 |
| 2 | Colorado Rapids | 3 | 3 | | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | | 1-0-0 | | 0-0-0 |
| 5 | San Jose Earthquakes | 3 | 3 | | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | | 1-0-0 | | 0-0-0 |
| 6 | Real Salt Lake | 1 | 1 | | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | | 0-0-1 | | 0-0-0 |
| 7 | Sporting Kansas City | 1 | 1 | | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | | 0-0-0 | | 0-0-1 |
| 8 | Vancouver Whitecaps FC | 1 | 1 | | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | | 0-0-1 | | 0-0-0 |
| 9 | LA Galaxy | 0 | 0 | | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 2 | -1 | | 0-1-0 | | 0-0-0 |
| 10 | Seattle Sounders FC | 0 | 0 | | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 2 | -1 | | 0-0-0 | | 0-1-0 |
| 11 | Minnesota United FC | 0 | 0 | | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 5 | -4 | | 0-0-0 | | 0-1-0 |
Theres still a lot of soccer to be played this season, but those who got off to good starts might have gained some important momentum going forward. Those who are looking up at other teams will need to correct their short comings to compete. Heres the MLS goals of the week, saves of the week and team of the Week. https://twitter.com/MLS/status/838912102718898176 https://twitter.com/MLS/status/839173923887591424
Bench: Tim Melia, SKC; Matt Hedges, DAL; Felipe, NY; Derrick Jones, PHI; Alphonso Davies, VAN; Erick “Cubo” Torres, HOU; Cyle Larin, ORL. Come back to Philly Sports Network for a preview of the Union's home opener vs Toronto FC later this week. Until then, peace out Union fans. Mandatory Credit: Anne-Marie Sorvin-USA TODAY Sports
